David’s story

Married father of two David from London became an organ and tissue donor aged 66. He was at home with his wife Janet when he collapsed.

Janet said: “He was very funny and generous. He had time for everyone. He was a great father to our children.”

Janet had always been in favour of organ donation. She had encouraged David to become a donor during their conversations.

“I felt it was easier to say ‘yes’ to donation because of the conversations we’d had while he was alive. I just thought if you can save someone’s life or someone’s sight through donation, that’s marvellous.”

David went on to donate his corneas as well as a kidney, skin and bone. One of his corneas was donated to a six year old child.

The gift of sight

OLC278 1617723

Join the NHS Organ Donor Register

Join usThe NHS Organ Donor Register is a confidential and secure database that records the decision of everyone who does or does not want to donate their organs and/or tissue after they die. It’s also the database that medical staff will consult to see if a person has decided to be, or not to be, a donor.

Children can register themselves at any age. If a child is under the age of 12, a letter is sent to the parent/guardian. Aged 12 to 16, a letter is sent to the child advising them that they should seek approval from their parent/guardian. Over the age of 16 a general registration letter is sent to the young person.

Fill in and return the form attached, go online organdonation.nhs.uk or phone us 0300 123 23 23

Let’s talk about itDon’t forget to talk about the decision you’ve made with other members of your family. It’s a conversation that could help save lives.

Attached to this form are two donor cards to share with your family. When you register, providing you haven’t previously registered, you will be sent a card with your name on it along with a letter confirming your registration.

Consent and Authorisation for donation In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, parental consent is required at the time of donation until the age of 18 years. In Scotland self authorisation can be given from the age of 12 years.

Freepost RRZK–SHUX–SBCK

NHS Blood and Transplant

Fox Den Road

Stoke Gifford

Bristol

BS34 8RR

FDFTTDDA

DAFFTADA

FTTFATFT

FAATFTAD

AAAF

Organ Donation for Children and Young People

NH

S O

rgan

Don

or C

ard

NH

S O

rgan

Don

or C

ard

For more information visit organdonation.nhs.ukor call 0300 123 23 23

nhsorgandonor

ZXU1184 OLC213.4P

Nicole had her sight restored by a cornea donation

Let them see what they can only imagine Donating sight can enable people to see againCorneal transplants help to restore the sight of patients across the UK every year and these are only possible through the generosity of people who are willing to donate and help others.

The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of your eye that lets in light so you can see.

Nicole’s story

Nicole was diagnosed at 25 with Fuchs dystrophy, an inherited condition which can lead to the cornea clouding over. By 28 Nicole had lost vision in her right eye while pregnant.

In April 2017, Nicole received her cornea transplant.

“I keep telling everyone about my incredible surgery. I can’t believe how my life has changed and the black cloud above me has disappeared.

“I have my donor in my thoughts each day. Cornea donation has enabled me to live my life to the full, work, and see my daughter grow up.”

Who can donate?Almost anyone can donate their corneas. Even if you can’t donate your organs, you could transform lives through the gift of sight. You are more likely to be able to donate your corneas than your organs, as unlike organ donation, you do not need to die in hospital to donate your corneas. Age, poor eyesight or medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation.

How do I join?Say ‘Yes I donate’ to cornea donation and join the NHS Organ Donor Register today. It is only through the generosity of people like you that eyesight can be saved.

Joining the register is quick and easy:

• visit organdonation.nhs.uk

• call 0300 123 23 23

• complete and return this leaflet

Please make sure you tell those closest to you that you have signed up so that they know to honour your decision.

What is the NHS Organ Donor Register?The NHS Organ Donor Register is a secure database that records people’s decision around whether or not they want to be an organ and tissue donor when they die. You can choose what organs and tissue you want to donate.

If your organs or tissue can be donated when you die, a specialist nurse will discuss donation with the family. It is therefore vital that your family or those closest to you are aware of your decision to donate, to make it easier for them to support it when the time comes.

Please complete in CAPITAL LETTERS using a black ballpoint pen. *indicates that a field must be completed.

My name and addressTitle First Name*Last Name*Preferred NameDate of Birth* / / Male* Female* Other*Address*

Postcode*TelephoneMobileEmail

My decisionI want to donate: (Please tick the boxes that apply)A. any of my organs and tissue or

B. my kidneys heart liver small bowel

corneas lungs pancreas tissue

for transplantation after my death. I consent to my organs being used for transplant research if they are not suitable for transplantation. (Please tick)

Signature

Date

Please tick here if you do not want to receive future information about blood, organ and tissue donation from NHS Blood and Transplant.

My ethnic originThere’s a better chance of getting a closer match and a successful transplant if the donor and recipient are from the same ethnic group. Please tick the ethnic group which best describes you.White: British Irish OtherMixed: White/Black Caribbean White/AsianWhite/Black African OtherAsian or Asian British: Indian PakistaniBangladeshi OtherBlack or Black British: Caribbean African OtherOther ethnic categories: Chinese OtherNot Stated:Data Protection Assurance. Completion of this form is for the purpose of recording your wishes to become an organ donor. All information provided to NHS Blood and Transplant is used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your data may be handled on our behalf in a country not normally covered by EU Data Protection law. If so, we will ensure that the data will be protected by the EU requirements. More information on how we look after your personal details can be found at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23.

If you wish to amend or withdraw your record from the NHS Organ Donor Register you can do so by calling the Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23, visiting www.organdonation.nhs.uk or writing to us at the address overleaf.

2636

Tear

and

moi

sten

edg

e op

posi

te

Please register my details on the NHS Organ Donor Register